FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2020
CONTACT
Dr. Erica Southerland
202.263.2812
media@cbcfinc.org
WASHINGTON — The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) today welcomed 25 undergraduate students and recent graduates into its Congressional and C-Suite Internship programs. The cohort members began their assignments today and will spend the next three months working in congressional offices where they will observe first-hand the inner workings of Capitol Hill and learn how federal legislation is developed.
During the congressional internship experience, these interns will conduct research, write floor speeches, and prepare bills and resolutions for introduction in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, among many other duties. CBCF’s Congressional Communications Internship program is sponsored by CBCF’s long-standing partner, State Farm. The Emerging Leaders Internship program is sponsored by Walmart, a loyal partner of CBCF.
C-Suite interns gain exposure and mastery in core business functions including policy development, sales, marketing, operations and finance. Interns interact with senior-level business leaders, explore multifaceted business challenges, and build skills to prepare them for careers in corporate America. The C-Suite intern is sponsored by Home Depot.
“For decades, CBCF has led the most elite internship program on Capitol Hill,” said David A. Hinson, CBCF president and CEO. “We are known internationally for our competitive program that provides hands-on experience with the democratic process. Throughout the program, CBCF provides interns with professional development, mentorship, free housing and a stipend. We are excited to welcome the new cohort to Washington and look forward to their contributions and success.”
CBCF created the internship program in 1984 to address the underrepresentation of black professional staff on Capitol Hill. Each semester, interns are selected from a highly competitive application process. CBCF Leadership Institute internship programs are open to full-time undergraduate students and recent college graduates. Both the Congressional Internship and the Congressional Fellowship programs are lauded as top public policy training experiences in Washington, DC. Since its inception, more than 3,000 students have participated in the CBCF Congressional Internship program. Upon completing the program, many participants receive full-time employment offers.
“We are seeing a generation that’s increasingly committed to the political process and their professional development,” said Anne-Marie Burton, vice president, CBCF’s Leadership Institute. “Each cohort participates in community service activities and understands the importance of giving back to their communities. Leadership Institute alumni extend this mindset in their impactful work in public policy, business and beyond, helping to advance black communities internationally.”
CBCF’s spring 2020 interns are:
Communications Interns – Sponsored by State Farm
Emerging Leaders Interns – Sponsored by Walmart
C-Suite Intern – Sponsored by Home Depot
ABOUT CBCF
Established in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and educational institute committed to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public. For more information, visit cbcfinc.org.
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